All posts by katie wilz

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Fall textbook adoptions, info on electronic versions

The University Bookstore understands a lot is going into your decision-making process for fall adoptions during this time. We know you are facing new challenges as more courses adjust to online formats. We want to share a tool that is available within Follett Discover where you can instantly see if the traditional book you may be considering has an electronic version available. You can find this information on the same site where you submit your textbook adoptions.

As always, we ask for your adoptions as early as possible so we can better source used materials that may be available. In addition, timely textbook adoptions keep campus in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). To this end, we want to work with you to assist in anyway that will allow you to make your textbook adoption decisions and allow us to get the postings completed. While we recognize that some of you may still be trying to make decisions, this is a friendly reminder that fall textbook adoptions were due on April 15.

Reach out if you need any assistance maneuvering Follett Discover or feel free to email or call with your adoptions or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you.

Follow these three easy steps to access Follett Discover via Blackboard

1. Log into myDrake.
2. Click on the Bb icon on the main myDrake screen.
3. Find the Tools channel. Then scroll down and click the Follett Discover link, or find the Follett Discover channel and click the Launch Discover link.

For questions, contact Donna Hallstrom at 1623txt@follett.com or Katie Wilz at kwilz@follett.com.

— Katie Wilz, University Bookstore

Campus Announcements Archive

Mental Health Awareness Month: Relaxation techniques

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If stress has you anxious and tense, spending just a few moments a day practicing a relaxation technique, may help restore your calm and inner peace.

There are a number of relaxation techniques available. You can do most on your own or with the help of a free or inexpensive smartphone app. Which one is best? No relaxation technique is perfect for everyone.  The right one is the one that works for you. Here are four you may want to try.

Deep Breathing. Also called belly, diaphragm, or abdominal breathing, this simple relaxation technique is the cornerstone of many other relaxation practices. Placing one hand on your chest and the other on your belly, breathe in slowly through your nose, watching your belly expand, hold your breath for a second or two, and then exhale slowly through your mouth.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation. This is a two-step process where you tense and then relax different muscle groups in the body. Start with your feet and work your way up to your face, tensing only those muscles you are focusing on.

Guided Imagery or Visualization. This involves imagining a scene in which you feel at peace. It could be a tropical beach, favorite childhood spot, or wooded glen. You can practice visualization on your own or with an app. If doing it on your own you may wish to use a listening aid, such as soothing music or the sound of ocean waves, for example, if you are visualizing a beach.

Mindfulness Meditation. The goal is to focus your attention on the present moment, and try to eliminate the many thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. It may involve focusing your attention on your breathing or a few repeated words. You can practice mindfulness with daily tasks like eating or brushing your teeth.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Des Moines Corporate Games Virtual Challenge

The Des Moines Corporate Games is an annual company-based competition normally held June 1–July 31.  Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Iowa Sports Foundation to adjust this year’s games. They are developing plans for alternative activities that allow employees to have a positive experience while maintaining social distancing. This includes launching a Des Moines Corporate Games Virtual Challenge to allow companies to compete and earn points while keeping safe. Some of the virtual events include the fitness walk, yoga, fitness class, and trivia. Other events could move later in the summer (if possible). They are also adding additional opportunities for employees to earn company points.

Corporate Games is still working through the changes but are anxious to get teams put together to start the process. Activities will be held in the evening and on weekends, are free (except cart rental for golf, if this event remains on the schedule), and are open to all full-time and regular part-time employees, interns, and retirees.

If you are interested, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Support the Food Bank of Iowa and Burt Club

Each year on May 15, as part of 515 Day in Des Moines, members of the Drake Athletics department rally together to serve our greater Des Moines community.  This year, we are collecting items for the Food Bank of Iowa and the Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Boys & Girls Club.

A few socially-distanced staff members will be stationed out front of the Knapp Center on Friday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. collecting donations. Please consider making a contribution.

The Food Bank of Iowa has identified the following as items of significant need:

  • Protein (peanut butter, canned meats, canned fish)
  • Canned fruits
  • Canned vegetables
  • Canned soup
  • Pasta sauce
  • Breakfast items (including cereal)
  • 100 percent fruit juice
  • Personal care and paper items (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.)
  • New or gently used washed t-shirts


The Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Boys & Girls Club is requesting donations of: 

  • Bubbles
  • Chalk
  • Markers
  • Crayons

These items are given to kids waiting in cars as their parents visit the food pantry.

Thank you, and Go Bulldogs!

— Shannon Saunders, Drake Athletics

Campus Announcements Archive

Griff’s drive-through birthday party

Griff is getting ready to celebrate his eighth (golden) birthday! He is also retiring as our mascot on June 30. We are excited to invite you to join him for a celebration (social-distance style) on campus Friday, May 8, from 9–11 a.m. Griff and Griff II (aka George) will be stationed in the northwest corner of the Olmsted Lot ready to greet well-wishers from their cars as they drive by. Instead of gifts, Griff asks that you consider bringing donations of non-perishable food and/or personal care items to help him stock the Little Free Pantries to help neighbors in need. There will be a table for you to place the items on without getting out of your car. We also encourage you to wear Drake Blue in honor of Griff, and please feel free to make signs and/or decorate your cars!

— Erin Bell, University Communications & Marketing

HR Information Archive

Welcome new Bulldogs

Please join the Human Resources department in welcoming five new full-time Drake University employees for the month of April.

Leroy Douglas, Facilities Planning and Management, Facility Maintainer III
Alma Ortiz, Facilities Planning and Management, Facility Maintainer III
Terri Schlak, University Advancement, Assistant Data Specialist
Henry Becker, Public Safety, Public Safety Officer
Nathan Jacobson, Drake International, Education Abroad Coordinator

— Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

News & Achievements Archive

Adams Leadership Award recipients

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Adams Leadership Awards! This year’s award recognition ceremony (the Adams Leadership Convocation) was canceled, but the recognition of student leadership has continued online with over 100 nominations submitted from faculty, staff, and students. Please see below and congratulate the following recipients:

  • Outstanding First Years: Kiley Kahler, Gabrielle Prill, Annie Peterson
  • Outstanding Sophomores: Rebecca Clair, Cora Holt, Madyson Sklar
  • Outstanding Juniors: Ian Klein, Kasey Springsteen, Raeann VanDrongelen
  • Outstanding Seniors: Nick Johnston, Josie Martin, Jack Richards
  • David Maxwell Outstanding Student Organization President/Chairperson: Meghan Kier (RHA)
  • Outstanding Student Organization Officer: Nate Wright
  • Outstanding Student Organization: Drake R;Se Up
  • Outstanding Organization Advisor: Keesha Ward (Coalition of Black Students)
  • Outstanding Service Award for Individual: Sydnei Washington
  • Outstanding Service Award for Student Group: Violence Intervention Partners
  • Ron & Jane Olson Outstanding Global Service Learning Award: Lizette Cruz, Keli Zemke, Brooke Krogman, Dana Stanek, Paige Wooldridge, Janna Johnson (OT2 students)
  • Outstanding Residence Hall Leader: Sophie Christensen
  • Wanda E. Everage Peer Mentor Award: Sophia Revord
  • Outstanding Social Program: 2019 Kissing Rock (Student Alumni Association)
  • Outstanding Educational Program: When a Good Case Falls Apart (Violence Intervention Partners)
  • Outstanding Equity and Inclusion Program: Coming Out with Guy Benson (College Republicans)
  • Outstanding Alcohol Alternative Program: Free Movie Friday (Student Activities Board)
  • Outstanding Collaboration Award: Free Speech Forum (Student Senate, Drake Democrats, College Republicans, Young Americans for Freedom)
  • Oreon E. Scott Outstanding Senior of the Year Award: Lauren Kennon

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

HR Information Archive

Microsoft Teams chat groups

In March, the All Staff Council (ASC) created a chat group in Microsoft Teams called “Staff—Remote Work Support Group.”  This group was formed to share remote work best practices, obtain crowd-sourced responses to remote work inquiries, and connect staff from across campus. If you’re not part of this group, here is a sample of what’s been shared. If you are a staff employee and interested in joining, please send an email to ascspecialinterest@drake.edu. 

Working from home. What seemed impossible has become the daily routine for many. Thanks to technology, including ITS remote best practices, we are creating a blueprint that will serve us well going forward.

Taking care of work and your children. One of the biggest challenges for parents is juggling work and parenting, while also taking on the role of teacher. Websites such as educateiowa.gov and National Geographic at Home offer online education tools. For those wishing to focus on this topic, the ASC recently created a Teams chat “Parents Group.” To join this chat group, please send an email to jenny.jones@drake.edu.

Wellness tips. Taking care of yourself can often be a challenge. Throw in a pandemic, closed gyms, and social distancing and your well-being can take a hit. But there are a multitude of resources to help, starting with Drake’s Group X virtual workouts. The ASC recently created a “Wellness Group” Teams chat for those who wish to focus on this topic. To join this group, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Other resources. The “Staff—Remote Work Support Group” has become a repository of helpful, and sometimes just plain fun resources. Whether you want to use a video background in Teams, are looking for some free entertainment (online classes, games, movies, etc.), or are simply trying to find some 20-second songs to sing while washing your hands, this chat group has it.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources